Interactions with police officers can be trauma-inducing for Deaf people on many levels, even for Deaf therapists. First, there is the obvious communication barrier, since most police officers don’t know ASL. Second, many times, police officers don’t realize the Deaf person is Deaf right away. This can lead to scary misunderstandings, particularly when the Deaf person’s gestures are misinterpreted as threats. Third, when no interpreter is present, the Deaf person is often at the mercy of the clo

This week, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and culture of the deaf community across Australia for National Week of Deaf People. 📹 In this video, police officers Sarah and Emma explain, using Auslan, how deaf, hard-of-hearing, or non-verbal community members can contact police in an emergency. 📱 In an emergency, you can phone the National Relay Service (NRS) on the number 106. If it's not an emergency, you also phone NRS on 133 677, and ask to call 131 444. | Tasmania Police